Commencement Ceremony

Graduate waving to family during ceremony

Prepare Before the Ceremony

You must apply for graduation before you register for the commencement ceremony. You do not have to have your degree or certificate conferred before the ceremony, but you must have a graduation application on file.
Register for the commencement ceremony. This is a separate form from the graduation application. If you wish to be listed in the printed commencement program, your registration form must be received no later than April 1, 2026.
Order your regalia. Carefully review the purchasing guide to ensure you have the right cap, gown and tassel ready to go on commencement day, and then purchase your regalia package by March 6! It is strongly recommended that you pre-order your regalia online.
Keep an eye out for commencement-related activities and ceremony instructions before the big day! We are excited to celebrate your accomplishments leading up to the ceremony. Check your email for details about events, and for important information to help you and your guests feel prepared on commencement day.
Review arrival and venue information and expectations below to help prepare you and your guests for what to expect, and don't forget to review the commencement ceremony FAQs.

Arrival & Parking

General parking at the Broadmoor World Area is Free. Lot A is reserved for volunteers. There is ADA/handicapped parking available in all parking lots. Keep in mind - tailgating is not allowed in the parking lot.
There are three entrances to the venue parking lot - Venetucci Blvd (busiest entrance), Geyser Dr., and Bob Johnson Dr. For the quickest entry, we recommend using the entrances off of Geyser Dr. and Bob Johnson Dr. View venue directions and parking information.

Graduates can begin arriving at 8:30am and should enter the arena through Gate A. If you have gone through early check-in on campus prior to the ceremony, we suggest you arrive between 9:30am and 10am. If you need to check in at the venue, plan on arriving between 8:30am and 9:30am.
Doors will open to guests starting at 9:45am. Guests should enter the arena through Gate B.
Please review the Broadmoor World Arena’s entry policies prior to arrival. This includes policies on bags, outside food and beverage (including water), strollers, and security.

If accommodations are needed for graduates, visit the Accessibility Table on the main concourse after you check in. Accommodation services provided by PPSC are for graduates only. The venue is set up to accommodate family members and guests. Primary accommodations include preferential seating for students with mobility challenges.
ASL Interpreters will be on stage as well as on the floor for visual access. The first several rows of Section 107 will be reserved for guests who are hearing impaired.
The Broadmoor World Arena is set up to accommodate family members and guests with accessibility needs, including wheelchair and companion seating.

After Arrival

After entering Gate A, if you need to check in, continue to your right toward Gate D. Check-in will be divided into alphabetical groups by last name. At check-in, you will be given a name card. Keep this card on your person. This is what the reader will use to announce your name when you walk across the stage. You will also receive any honor cords you qualify for.

If you have already gone through early check-in on campus, you can skip checking in at the venue and go straight to the procession lineup in the service level tunnel.
After check-in, make your way down to the service level tunnel for the procession lineup. Use the Arena Bar stairs located between Gate D and Gate A. There is an elevator between gates A and B at the Penrose Club Entrance for graduates with accessibility needs.
Once in the service level tunnel, follow the signs to the procession lineup area. Look for your academic division's sign. This is where your line begins. Your academic division will be listed on your name reader card.
Marshals will be on hand to give you processional directions, and volunteers will be on hand to help you with any last-minute preparations.
Additional support at the venue will include general information and troubleshooting, phonetic spelling assistance, PPSC Bookstore, Military & Veterans Programs, and COSI and Promise Programs, and more.

After entering through Gate B, guests can sit anywhere in the arena in open seating, with two exceptions:
- The arena floor is reserved for graduates. You cannot sit with graduates.
- Section 107 are reserved for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Commencement Programs will be available at the venue both printed and digital formats. For digital formats, look for posters with the QR Code around the venue and scan it with your phone.

Quick Tips & Resources for Graduates

Browse additional resources below. For additional questions, concerns, or comments not covered here or in the FAQ, email commencement@pikespeak.edu

Photos

GradImages will be present during the Ceremony to take graduate portraits. If you register for GradImages before commencement day, you will get 20% off your official photography purchase.

What to Bring With You

Wear your regalia!
It will be warm in the service level where you will line up for the procession. Plan and dress accordingly.
You’ll spend a lot of time on your feet, so wear comfortable shoes!
The venue will not allow you to bring in water, but our Student Care team will have some available should you need it.
Don’t carry unnecessary items. There will be nowhere to store personal items such as bags and purses during the ceremony.

Graduation Announcements

Share your exciting news! Download, customize, and send the Graduation Announcement Template to let your friends and family know you’re walking across the stage.

Horizontal Template | Vertical Template

View all frequently asked questions about the graduation process and the commencement ceremony on our frequently asked questions (FAQ) page.

Graduation and Commencement FAQs

Ordering Your Regalia

It is highly recommended that you order your regalia online. Doing so helps ensure that you get the right size and package and allows for time to correct any potential issues that could arise.

Review the purchasing guide to help you choose the right package and fit and then place your order online!

Order Your Regalia

Online orders will be available for pickup starting the week of April 13, 2026. When ordering, you will have the option to choose to pick your regalia up at either the Rampart or Centennial Campus. You will receive an email when your regalia has arrived.

If you miss the online ordering window, you may purchase regalia at the Centennial Campus Bookstore. Contact them directly with any questions as supplies may be limited. You can reach the bookstore directly at 719-502-2665.

January 26, 2026 – Online ordering opens
March 6, 2026 – Online ordering closes
April 13, 2026 – Online orders available for pickup starting this week. In-person purchases available at Centennial Campus Bookstore
May 16, 2026 - Commencement Ceremony

For the 2026 Commencement Ceremony, you will choose your regalia package by the division or pathway that your program falls under. If you are unsure of your division or pathway, see the full Regalia Purchasing Guide.

Regalia Purchasing Guide

Height	Weight
4’9” – 4’11”	Up to 130 lbs.
5’ – 5’2”	Up to 150 lbs.
5’3” – 5’5”	Up to 170 lbs.
5’6” – 5’8”	Up to 250 lbs.
5’9” – 5’11”	Up to 275 lbs.
6’ – 6’2”	Up to 300 lbs.
6’ – 6’5”	Up to 325 lbs.
Plus 1* 4’9” – 5’5”	Over 200 lbs.
Plus 2* 5’6” – 5’11”	Over 275 lbs.
Plus 3* 6’ – 6’5”	Over 325 lbs.

*NOTE: The Plus size gown will comfortably fit a bust/waist/hip measurement of 72". If you do not need this much width in the body of the gown, but your weight is slightly higher than the ranges listed above, order the next gown length, i.e., instead of 5'3-5' 5", order size 5 '6-5 '8".

For student clubs, organizations, and programs, contact your club advisors for information about cords and stoles.

Honor Cords are distributed during commencement check-in. Make sure to verify your GPA prior to check-in to ensure you receive the correct cord for your academic achievement:

Graduating with highest honor, Summa Cum Laude - 4.0 cumulative GPA (Gold)
Graduating with great honor, Magna Cum Laude - 3.75 - .399 cumulative GPA (Navy)
Graduating with honor, Cum Laude - 3.5 - 3.749 cumulative GPA (Lime)

Current PPSC cords and stoles available include:

Phi Theta Kappa (Can be purchased from Phi Theta Kappa)

Military Recognition (Provided by MVP)

LGBTQIA2+ Recognition (Provided by PPSC)

High School Programs (Provided by PPSC)

COSI (Provided by COSI)

Promise Programs (Provided by Promise Programs)

Work-Study (Provided by PPSC)

Military and Veterans Work-Study (Provided by PPSC)

Student Ambassadors (Provided by Enrollment Department)

Student Government Association (Provided by PPSC)

You may also purchase any other stoles you wish to wear during the ceremony via the online ordering site, the bookstore, or your vendor of choice.

Commencement Frequently Asked Questions

How to Wear Graduation Regalia

Still have questions? Please reach out to commencement@pikespeak.edu.